Molding phonograph-records.



B. F. PHILPOT.

MOLDING PHONOGRAPH RECORDS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-3.1913.

L%%@,@%L f Patented Dec. 4,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

III I I III III

B. F. PHI LP OT. I MOLD ING PHONOGRAPH RECORDS.

APPLICATION FILED JANQ, 1913.

|||||||| f-unwllnmml B. F. PHILPOT.

MOLDING PHONOGRAPH REQORDS. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3, 1913.

llmtented Dec. 4,]917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- WM MW W BRIAN F. PHIL [$053, 013 ORANGE, NEW.llE'RfiEll-i", ASSIGNOBI, BY NEW JERSEY PATENT COMPANY, OF VIESTOEANGE, NEW JERSEY, it GOEPQEATIUN OF NEW JERSEY.

MQLDING 'PHONUGrldAFH-RECUEES.

specification 01" Letters Patent.

Patented lilec. d, ilhl'tt To all wlwm it may concern;

Be it known that l, BRIAN l Pninror, a citizen of the United fdtates,and a resident of Orange, in the county of Essex and State ofllewJersey, have invented a certain new and useiul lnvention in MoldingPhonograph-Records, of which the following is a description.

llhis invention relates to the molding of phonograph records, and moreparticularly to apparatus and a process for the production of records bythe introduction of fluid under pressure to the interior of a thincylinder of celluloid or similar material to force the same into theindentations of a sur rounding matrix or mold. The principal object ofthe invention is to provide .improved apparatus and an improved processof this character, the invention residing in the construction andcombination oi parts and in the processes and sub-processes herenaftermore fully described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be more clearly understood. attention ishereby directed to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 representsa side elevation partly in section or a part of my improved apparatus;

Fig. 2 reprewnts a front elevation partly in section of the apparatusshown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 represents an enlarged central vertical sectional view of aportion of the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1, together with my improvedform of clamping means for insuring a fluid tight joint between thelower po tion of the record cylinder and the mold;

Fig. 4 represents a section taken on the line H of Fig. 3, the clampingmeans above referred to being omitted;

Fig. 5 represents an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion ofthe apparatus shown in Fig. 3;

big. 6 represents a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of lFig. l andshowing a detail of construction;

Fig. 7 re resents a sectional view taken on the line -7 of Fig. 1 andshowing another detail of construction; and

Fig. 8 represents a front elevation illustrating a system forcontrolling the circulation of fluid through the interior of the molds.

in all the views like parts are designated by the same referencenumerals.

Referring to'the drawing, the numeral 1 designates a matrix. preferablymade by electrodeposition upon a WaX-lilre master record in a mannerwell known in the art. Secured to the opposite ends of the matrix 1 aremetallic rings 2 and 3 to the outer surfaces of which is secured a thinmetallic sleeve l,- an air space 5 being thus pro vided between the saidmatrix and sleeve. The sleeve t is provided with asuitable number ofSpaced openings or vents it lead ing into the air space 5 whereby acirculation of air through. the space is permitted and excessive heatingof the matrix I avoided. Rings 2 and 3 and sleeve a form a very strongyet light backing for the matrix 1. To the bottom of the ring 3 anannular inenr her 7 is secured as by means of screws 8 (see- Figs. 3 and5), the said member projecting inwardly beyond the record surface of thematrix so as to form a support for the lower end of the record cylinderThe numeral 10 designates a base for supporting a mold such as thatdescribed above. this base being provided with a cylindrical upwardlrextending projection 10 against the cylin rical. lateral surface ofwhich the member 7 and the flanged end portion A. of the record cylinderfit closely. 'lhe base 10 is provided with countersunk openings 11adapted to re ceive screws or other suitable headed members to securethe base to a bed plate 12. A head or cap 13 serves to close the top ofthe mold during the molding operation, this head being provided with acentral tubular extension 14 secured as by a screw or screws 15, withina vertical opening in the ofi'set l6 termed at the lower part of a slide17 which is adapted to:- reciprocate vertically in the forwardlyextending portion 18 of a standaid 19 integral with the plate 12. Asshown in Figs. 1 and .6, the slide 17 has a dovetailed connection withthe part 18. A gib or wearing plate 17 is placed between one edge of theslide and the adjacent edge oil the part 18 and is adjustable more orless firmly in engagement'with the slide 17 by screws it? threaded intothe part 18. 'llhe till cap or head 13 is provided with surfaces 20 and21 adapted to bear against the periphery and the topof the mold. Thebase 10 is providedwith two large openings 23 and a small opening 24,these openings serving for the admission and. exhaust of the steam andair used in molding, as-will be hereinafter explained. For sealing theupper end of the record cylinder to prevent the escapeof fluid from theinterior thereof during the molding operation, the head or cap 13isprovided with a member 25 adapted to be adjusted, by means hereinafterdescribed, to clamp the upper end of the record cylinder between thesame'and the body of the head or cap 13. The clamping surface 26 on themember 25 and the coacting surface 27 on the body of the head or cap 13are substantially conical as hown and are inclined upwardly and inwardlyso that when the head or ca is lowcred the upper end of the record cyinder A .is forced between the surfaces 26 and 27 and is giereby formedwith a flange as shown at I To provide means for moving the slide 17 andthe parts carried thereby into desired vertical position, the portion 18of the standard is formed with a recess-28 in the rear of the slide 17,in which recess a circular disk 29 is rotatably mounted',"'a'.s by acentral cylindrical projection 30 formed on the said disk and extendingthrough a tubular boss or projection 31 on the part 18. Secured to theouter end of the projection 30, as by a pin 32, is a collar 33, whichbears against the outer end of the boss31 and has secured thereto an armor lever 34 by which the disk 29 may be readily rotated in its support.Pivoted on the disk- 29, as by means of the headed screw 35, is a block36, this blockbeing slidable in a horizontal slot 37 formed in the slide17. The pivot 35 is located eccentrically with respect to the axis ofrotation of-the disk 29 so that by rotating said disk by means of thearm 34, the slide 17 may be reciprocated vertically. The construction issuch that when the head or cap 13 is in engagement with the top of'themold, the axis of the pivot screw 35 and the axis of rotation of thedisk 29 willlie substantially in the same vertical plane and pressure ofthe fluid in the mold on the member 26 cannot lift the head from themold.

For supporting the part 25 and adjusting the same with respect to thehead or cap 13, I preferably provide the member 25 with a centraltubular projection 38 movable up and down in a central vertical openingthrough the cap 13 and threaded on to the lower end of a rod 39, whichis secured at its upper end to a block 40 adapted to reciprocatevertically in a recess 41 in the part 18 and a recess 42 in the slide17. The member 25 is provided with a central recess. 43 adapted toreceive the lower end of the rod 39, and the packing washer 44, metallicwasher 45, and nut 46 mounted on the lower 1 end of the said rod. Thewasher 44 is located at the bottom of the recess and is adapted to beforced by the nut 46 into intimate engagement with the member 25 and therod 39 to produce a fluid tight oint between these parts. The block 40has a dovetailed connection with the slide 17, as clearly shown inFig.7, and is provided with a horizontal recess 47 in which a block 481s slidably mounted. A cylindrical head or disk 49 eccentrically mountedon a rod 50 is rotatable within the block 48, the rod 50 extendingthrough a tubular extension 51 on the slide 17 and having secured to theouter end thereof an arm or lever 52 whereby the said rod and the disk49 may be rotated to oscillate the block 48 in the slot 47 and to raiseand lower the block 40 and the member 25 with respect to the slide 17 Apin 53 secured to the block 40 limits the movement of the block 48 tothe left, as shown in Fig. 7, and thereby limits the downward movementof the member 25 with respect to the head or cap 13.

To insure a fluid tight connection between the lower. end of the recordcylinder and the mold, I employ clamping means comprising a flat member54 adapted to bear against the lower face of the member 25 and having atubular extension 55 secured thereto, and a member 56 slidable withinthe extension 55 and provided at its lower end with inclined outwardlyextending arms 57 connected at their lower ends-with a circular ring 58.The inner diameter of the ring 58 should be slightly greater than theouter diameter of the projection 10 so as to be movable over the same,but it should be slightly smaller in diameter than the flange A on thelower end of the record cylinder.

The inner surface of the said ring should taper as shown at 58, Fig. 3,so as to be capable of wedging the flange A closely against theprojection 10 when the ring is pressed downward by the action of thespring 50 bearing against the under surface of the part 54 and a washeror ringv 60 supported on a shoulder on the part 56. A pin 61 secured inthe part 56 and slidable in a slot 62 in the extension 55 preventsrelative rotation between the part 56 and theextension 55.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 8, a plurality of molding applianceslike those hereinbefore described are shown at B, B

supported upon a suitable table or other lit d it

til

aaaaaar ing appliances B, B and connected with the latter by suitablepipe connections 85, one of these connections communicating with the cinterior of each of the molds through a pipe 68 threaded into one of theopenings 23 in the mold, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. a A pipe 67 isthreaded into each of the other openings 23, and connections 88' leadfrom each-of the pipes 87 to a horizontal pi e 69 communicating with avertical pipe 0 from which leads a horizontal extens on 71 serving as anoutlet for the air leaving the molding apparatus. Valves -72 which isprovided with a vertical extension 77 from which the exhaust steam ispermitted to escape. Valves 78' and 79 are placed in the pipes74= and 77respectively to permit the control of the circulation of steam throughthe moldin apparatus. A. pressure eiihaust pipe 80 lea s from the pipes69 and 70 and is provided with a valve Sl, the pressure exhaust servingto permit air or other fluid under pressure in the molds to escape tothe atmosphere. The pipe connections 85, 7 5 and 68 are provided withvalves 82, 83 and 84 respectively whereby any particularmoldingappliance 18 can be shut 0d from the fluid supply system withoutpreventing the operation of the other molds in the system hereinbeforedescribed. The air fi'Om the pipe 71 is preterably led into a reservoiror tanh: 85 from which it may be returned by a compressor or pump 86 andthe pipe connections 87, 88 and 89 to the supp y tank 83". An aircompressor 90 having an intake 91 from the atmosphere serves.

to supply tank 63 through pipe 89' with suilicient air to make up anylossandto keep the air pressure in tanlr 88 constant. l cr efficientaction, the air pressure in the circulating systemdescribed above shouldbe comparatively high the pressure in tanlr ly about" lbs. per

'68 being prelerab square inch and that in the tank 85 about 10 lbs. persquare inch less, or about 90 lbs. per square inch. A water jacket 82 isplaced around a pipe 68 to cool the air passing through the same.-

ln operation, a cylindrical record blank or tablet A formed with aninwardly directed flanged adated to fit closely around the part is pacedin osition in each of the molds, as shown in igs. l and 2, theuppercylindrical and ot the bl e u ing vertically upward a shortdistance above the top oi the mold. Onejof the clamps shown in Fig. 3 isthen placed in position. in each mold after which the molds are placedon the bases 10 around the projec tions 10; The heads or caps 13' arethen lowered upon the molds by operating the arms 34, the upper ends ofthe record cylinders or blanks being forced luv this operation betweenthe, inclined surfaces 28 and 27 ofthe members 25 and the heads or. caps13, the flanges AT being-at the same time wedged firmly against theprojections 10 by the spring pressed ring 58. After this t e members 25are drawn upwardly by operatingthe arms 52 untilthe upper ends of therecord cylinders or blanks are. firmly clamped between the surfaces 26and 27, as shown in Fig. 3, the record cylinders being new formed attheir upper ends with the inwardly directed flanges A.

During the above operations, all of the valves except valves 81, 82, 88and 8d are closed. The next step consistsin closing the valve 81 andopening'the'valves 78 and 79 to permit steam under pressure to circulatethrough the liuid tight chambers formed within the record cylinders soasto soften the said cylinders and force the same into the indentationsin the matrir s. This step also causes the flanges at the ends of therecord cylinders to be forced into intimate contact with the adjacentsurfaces of themold and thereby to be given their final shape After asuitable time has elapsed to permit the record cylinders to be thusmolded, the valves 7 8 and 7 9 are closed and hers within the recordcylin ers and the said cylinders are thereby cooled while {the valves 72and 78 opened. Air is now circulated under pressure throu h the cham-' 4lllllla held firmly in engagement with the indentations of the matrices.The air is passed through the molds a sufficient len th of time topermit the record cylinders to ecome set after which the valves 72 and 73 are closed and the pressure in the moldin apparatus relieved byopening the valve d1 mitting the air in the said apparatus to escape tothe atmcshere. The molds may now be opened by e o oration oi the arms 52and 8d and the finis ed record cylinders ,reoved'ilrom the molds, lidurin the olding oration any particular mo ding appliance l should leakor become otherwise detective, this articular appliance may be shut od"from t e system by closing the valves 82, 88 and 8d, theother-appliances.

in the same system being operable as usual.

lit is obvious that nerous chan may be made in the invention as hereinisclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention, and l wish,therefore, not to he lied to the enact details own and dee scribed,

and perltd lllh

ltd

ite

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of thefollows: I

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with acylindrical matrix, of a base for closing one end of a record cylinderplaced within said matrix, and a cap for closing the other end of therecord cylinder, saidcap being provided with a clamp for securing'the adacent end of the record cylinder to the cap and also producin a fluidtight connection between the recor cylinder and the cap, said cap beingalso provided with a portion cooperating with said clamp to form aflange on the end of the record cylinder, substantially as described.

2. ln apparatus of the class described,

United States is as l the combination of means for supporting a recordcylinder, and a head movable axially of said means and provided withmeans between which an end of a record cylinder supported by said firstnamed means is adapted .to be forced on the movement of the head in onedirection to form a flange on the said cylinder, substantially asdescribed.

3. Inv apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forsupporting a record cylinder, and a head movable axially of said meansand provided with opposed surfaces inclined to the direction of movementof the head and between which an end of a record cylinder supported bysaid means is adapted to be forced on the movement of the head in onedirection to form a flange on the record cylinder, substantially asdescribed.

4:. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forsupporting a record cylinder, and a head movable axially of said meansand comprising members having opposed surfaces inclined to the directionof movement of the head and between which an end of a record cylindersupported by said means is adapted to be forced on the movement of thehead in one direction to form a flange on the record cylinder, one ofsaid members being movable with respect to the other to permit saidflange to be clamped between said surfaces, substantially as described.

5. in apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forsupporting a sound record mold, a cap for said mold, and manually.operable means for moving said cap toward and for positively moving thesame away from said first named means, substantially as described.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combinationof a sound recordmold, means for supporting the same, a cap for closing one end of saidmold, and manually operable means comprising -a rotatable membereccentrically connected to said cap Leeann for moving the latterrelatively to said mold, said manually operable means being arranged toprevent movement of said cap by the application of pressure directly tothe latter when the same is in operative position with respect to themold, substantially as described.-

7. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forsupportin a sound record mold, a cap for said mol a slide supportingsaid cap, a support for said slide, and manually operable meanscomprising a rotatable member eccentrically connected to said slide forshiftin the latter to move said ca toward and away from said first namemeans, substantially as described.

8. In apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a mold, means for supporting the same, a cap for saidmold, a

slide supportmg said cap, a support for said slide, and means comprisinga rotatable member eccentrically and pivotally connected to said slidefor shifting the latter to move said cap toward and awa from said mold,the axes of said rotata le member and of thevpivotal connection betweensaid member and said slide being located in a line coincidingsubstantially with the direction of movement of said slide in itssupport when the cap is in operative osition with respect to the mold,substantlally as described.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forsupportin a sound record mold, a cap for said mol a slide supportingsaid cap and having a transverse slot therein, and means comprising arotatable member and a member mounted eccentrically on said rotatablemember and slidable in said slot for shifting said slide to move saidcap toward and away from said first named means, substantially asdescribed.

10. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of means forsupporting a sound record mold, a cap for said mold, a slide supportingsaid cap,.and means com prising a rotatable member and a member mountedeccentrically on said rotatable member and having a slidable connectionwith said slide, whereby said slide may be shifted to move said captoward and away from said first named means, substantially as described.

11. As a new article of manufacture, a sound record mold comprising amatrix, members secured to the rear surface thereof, and a backingsecured to the outer surface of said members and forming a hollow airspace in back of said matrix, substantially as described.

12. As a new article of manufacture, a sound record mold comprising amatrix,

' members secured to the rear surface thereof,

neeatai and a backing secured to the outer surface of said members andforming a hollow air space in back of said matrix, said backing beingprovided with openings or vents to permit circulation of air throughsaid space, substantially as described.

13. As a new article of manufacture, a sound record mold comprising amatrix, spaced rings secured to the rear surface thereof, and a coveringsecured tothe outer surface of said rings and spaced. from said matrix,substantially as described.

14:. As a new article of manufacture, a sound record mold comprising acylindrical matrix, spaced rings secured to the rear surface thereof anda sleeve secured to the outer surface of said rings and spaced from saidmatrix, substantially as described.

, 15. As a new article of manufacture, a sound record mold comprising acylindrical matrix, spaced rings secured to the rear surface thereof anda sleeve secured to the outer surface of said rings and spaced from agiven body of fluid may be circulated culated through said mold aplurality of times, substantially as described.

17. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a mold,means whereby through said mold a plurality of times, and means forcooling said fluid prior to each passage thereof through said mold,substantially as described. I

This specification signed and witnessed W this 2nd day of January 1913.

BRIAN 1F. PHILPQT.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK BAGHMANN, MARY J. LAIDLAW.

